Illusion: A misperception or misinterpretation of a real external stimulus, such as hearing the rustling of leaves as the sound of voices. See also hallucination.

 

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Illusion: A misperception or misinterpretation of a real external stimulus, such as hearing the rustling of leaves as the sound of voices. See also hallucination.

Illusion Of Depth: The ability of the two-dimensional television image to create an illusion whereby space seems to recede into the image. A telephoto lens creates a small illusion of depth and a wide-angle le . . . View Full Definition

Delusion of doubles ( lillusion de soises) : delusional belief that a person known to an individual has been replaced by a double. It is seen in Capgras syndrome.

Metadrama: Drama in which the subject of the play is dramatic art itself, especially when such material breaks up the illusion of watching reality. When Macbeth cries out, 'Life's but a walking shadow, . . . View Full Definition

Lost Generation: A group of twentieth-century authors who grew disillusioned after World War I and lived in Europe as expatriates. Ernest Hemingway is one of the more famous members of the Lost Generation.

Coming-Of-Age Story: A novel in which an adolescent protagonist comes to adulthood by a process of experience and disillusionment. This character loses his or her innocence, discovers that previous preconception . . . View Full Definition

Metafiction: Fiction in which the subject of the story is the act or art of storytelling of itself, especially when such material breaks up the illusion of 'reality' in a work. An example is John Fowles' . . . View Full Definition

Platonic: In common usage, people often use the word 'platonic' to mean 'intellectual rather than physical.' Thus, a Platonic love-affair is one in which the couple is attracted to each other for ment . . . View Full Definition

Weltschmerz: According to Shipley's Dictionary of World Literature (623), Jean Paul (1763-1825) coined this German phrase to refer to the sentimental pessimism one feels--the sorrow, disillusionment, and . . . View Full Definition

Trench Poetry: Poetry and songs written by both common soldiers and professional poets focusing on the disillusionment, suffering, and ethical dismay these individuals felt at their involvement in World Wa . . . View Full Definition